Synopsis: In a land riven with plague, inside the infamous Walled City, two families vie for control: the Medicis with their genius inventor Leonardo; the Lorraines with Galileo, the most brilliant alchemist of his generation. And when two star-crossed lovers, one from either house, threaten the status quo, a third, shadowy power – one that forever seems a step ahead of all of the familial warring – plots and schemes, and bides its time, ready for the moment to attack...Assassination; ancient, impossible machines; torture and infamy – just another typical day in paradise.

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Why?: I've always enjoyed the sci-fi and fantasy novels of Angry Robot. They always manage to either merge the two genres or fit in their own genre. I am upset with Strange Chemistry's shut down though. This book seems like it will be an alternate history with some added fantasy and sci-fi elements. I'm interested to see how Leonardo and Galileo are used. Expectations: I'm expecting a unique alternative historic fantasy that has parallels to Romeo and Juliet. I always like a good star-crossed lovers retelling. Judging a book by its cover: This cover is really cool. It does remind me of Assassin's Creed though. I would probably pick this up in the book store. --PAUL